Businesses in Ararat were not immune to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue dropping during the second quarter of 2020.
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Economic shutdowns, International shipping complications, strict movement limitations across the state and a lack of discretionary income left many businesses wondering if they would survive to the end of the financial year.
However, several Ararat businesses have reported a return to form in recent weeks as restrictions ease, and consumer confidence returns.
Jody Mills, owner of Choices Carpet and Flooring with her husband Rod, said they considered some difficult options.
"We honestly questioned whether we were going to shutdown during the height of the restrictions," she said.
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"But Rod and I decided to stay open and push through... and things did slow down.
"While it's quiet now - due to the school holidays - it has been pretty good for since the restrictions were lifted.
"I think with people not being allowed to go on overseas holidays; they have saved a bit of money which is now going into home renovations."
Ms Mills said sourcing stock was mostly unaffected apart from some tiles from China.
"A lot of our carpet is made in Australia, so we were not affected by the global shutdown unlike other industries," she said.
"Mind you, some lines are made in New Zealand, which meant if you ordered something before they shut down, you got your stock straight away.
"If you ordered after the shutdown you had to wait six weeks under the borders we reopened.
"Most of our customers were happy to wait or change their mind to something in stock."
...budgets are tight due to the pandemic.
- Jason Stocks, Tyrepower Ararat
Sourcing goods in a globalised economy brought to a halt by COVID-19 is a common theme worldwide.
Camping and outdoor specialists Lyal Eales, which has six stores across Victoria including Ararat and Stawell, had to get creative to solve supply issues.
"At the start of the pandemic we had trouble getting a hold of some lines," said Mike Eighteen, a supervisor at the Ararat store.
"We were lucky because Lyal Eales has a big warehouse in Mildura and they were able to stock up on some supplies while they could. Other lines we changed suppliers or brands."
Similarly at Tyrepower Ararat, Jason Stocks said stocking some large ticket items has been difficult.
"It's getting harder to stock up on tractor tyres at the moment," he said.
"Luckily, passenger and four-wheel-drive tyres are just fine. We probably had our quietest June for the past 10 years.
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"Fewer people are driving, and budgets are tight due to the pandemic."
Just up the highway, Pyrenees Caravan Park manager John Rickinson said he experienced a similar downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic, only to bounce back in recent weeks.
"We were pretty quiet during the initial part of the restrictions - late-March and most of April," he said.
"But we've been booked solid from the start of May onwards. This Saturday, for example, we only have a few cabins available.
"We have a lot of workers staying with us - sessional workers like grape pickers and lots of professionals."
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